Robben rocket rescues Bayern
Reuters - Tuesday 09 March 2010, 22:15
FLORENCE - Arjen Robben's superb
strike sent Bayern Munich through to the Champions League
quarter-finals on away goals on Tuesday despite a 3-2 defeat by
Fiorentina in a thrilling last 16 second leg.
The Dutchman found the net from 25-metres with a
wind-assisted shot in the 65th minute to make the aggregate
score 4-4 after the four-times European champions won the first
leg 2-1.
VIDEO: Watch it here
NEWS: Fiorentina bemoan first leg offside goal
Fiorentina's Juan Manuel Vargas took advantage of a
Hans-Joerg Butt fumble for the opener in the 28th minute and
Stevan Jovetic made it 2-0 for the hosts in the 54th before the
home crowd went on an emotional rollercoaster ride that ended in
disappointment.
Mark van Bommel levelled the tie for Bayern in the 60th
before Jovetic bagged his second, only for Robben to decide it
with his splendid strike almost immediately after.
"It was a tough match, especially because of the
conditions," Bayern midfielder Sebastian Schweinsteiger told Sky
Italia.
"We were clever to keep the ball on the ground. At the end
of two legs we have shown ourselves to be stronger."
Fiorentina will rue their back luck from the first leg when
a late Miroslav Klose goal scored from an offside position
condemned them to defeat.
Ending Bayern's 18-match unbeaten run will be meagre
consolation, especially as they are unlikely to qualify for the
competition next season after a miserable run of form that has
dragged them down into the middle of the Serie A standings.
The hosts, without much missed Romania striker Adrian Mutu
after he failed drugs tests and Massimo Gobbi for his red card
in the first leg, tried to dictate the pace from the start.
The rain and strong wind made keeping the ball under control
difficult but the Italian side went ahead when Marco
Marchionni's shot was fumbled by Butt and Peruvian winger Vargas
pounced to score.
Bayern were stirred into action and Fiorentina goalkeeper
Sebastien Frey produced a remarkable save to deny Robben six
minutes later.
Alberto Gilardino should have extended Fiorentina's lead in
the 49th when he blasted straight at Butt with the goal gaping
before making amends by laying on Jovetic's first goal with a
back-heel.
Van Bommel rifled in from outside the box to level the tie
on the hour.
Jovetic was on target four minutes later after being set up
again by Gilardino but it took just 72 seconds for Robben to
reply decisively for the Bundesliga leaders.
"There is a lot of anger and disappointment. Tonight there
are no regrets as we put in a great performance. It's the result
of the first leg which hurts," Frey told Sky Italia.
"To play in these conditions with the wind against was
tough. But Robben scored a great goal."
NEWS: Prandelli future uncertain following Fiorentina exit
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